Connect Reading and Writing

Vocabulary

  • blend

  • capital

  • conflict

  • conquered

  • cultures

  • defeat

  • empire

  • ruler

Critical Thinking

  • 1. SUM IT UP Make an Outline using the headings in the article. Include the two most important ideas in each section. Then use your Outline to summarize the article.

    Outline

    • I. “Is This a Dream?”

      • A. Spanish explorers

      • B. Pyramid

  • 2. Describe Tell what the Aztec capital looked like. Use details from text features in your description.

  • 3. Evaluate Revisit your Anticipation Guide. Do you still agree with your opinions about blending two cultures? Discuss with a partner.

  • 4. Interpret The Spanish were able to conquer the Aztec. List the reasons for their defeat.

Reading Fluency

Intonation Read the passage on page 661 to a partner. Assess your fluency.

  • 1. I read

    • a. great

    • b. OK

    • c. not very well

  • 2. What I did best in my reading was _____.

Reading Strategy

Ask Questions

Tell a partner two questions you asked as you read about the Aztec. Explain how you found the answers.

Vocabulary Review

Oral Review Read the paragraph aloud. Add the vocabulary words.

I want to write stories about the great _____ of the world. I also want to write about famous people, like Moctezuma, the Aztec _____. His people built a really cool city. It was the _____ of the Aztec _____. When the Spanish explorers came, there was _____ for many years. The Spanish _____ the Aztec with their powerful weapons. Disease also caused the Aztec’s _____. Today, Mexico is a _____ of Aztec and Spanish heritage.

Written Review Imagine you are the Aztec ruler and have been conquered in a great conflict. Write a short speech to tell about it. Use five vocabulary words.

Illustration of the pen icon Write About the Guiding Question

Explore the Aztec-Spanish Conflict What might the Aztec people have done differently to prevent conflict with the Spanish when they met? Reread the selection to find examples to support your judgment.